Contributed by Susan Reynolds-Phaneuf through Maine Historical Society
Description
An ambrotype thought to be Berengera Caswell, a "mill girl" who in 1849 died after a botched abortion. Her body was later found in a Saco stream.
The unidentified photo passed down through the family. The young woman pictured matches physical descriptions of Caswell as recalled in period newspapers and accounts.
Berengera Caswell's life and tragic death was memorialized in fictionalized accounts such as Mary Bean, The Factory Girl (1850), and Life of George Hamilton (1852).
About This Item
- Title: A potential photograph of Berengera Caswell, ca. 1849
- Creation Date: circa 1849
- Subject Date: circa 1849
-
Locations:
- Saco, York County, ME
- Biddeford, York County, ME
- Media: Ambrotype
- Object Type: Image
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Abortions--Maine
- Caswell, Berengera--Portrait photographs
- Pregnancy--Maine
- Textile mill workers--Maine
- Women--Maine
People
Other Keywords
For more information about this item, contact:
Maine Historical Society485 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-1822 x230
Website
Use of this Item is not restricted by copyright and/or related rights, but the holding organization is contractually obligated to limit use. For more information, please contact the contributing organization. However, watermarked Maine Memory Network images may be used for educational purposes.
More to Consider
Exhibit
Early Maine Photography at Maine Historical Society
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